Researchers at Columbia University have demonstrated that quantum fluctuations from the vacuum can change nearby matter. By matching the vibrations of a 2D flake to a superconductor, we were able to suppress its properties, unlocking new methods for materials engineering.
Researchers confirmed that there was an “empty” space inside. Atomic thinness of matter is not actually stationary, but rather a source of quantum fluctuations It can dramatically change the properties of nearby crystals.
A collaboration led by Columbia University and published in the journal Nature demonstrated how these fluctuations can suppress superconductivity in adjacent materials without the need for external triggers such as heat or lasers.
This discovery fulfills a theoretical “holy grail” that scientists have been pursuing for decades and provides an entirely new approach to materials engineering.
The power of matching vibrations: quantum fluctuations
Quantum fluctuations exist even at extremely low temperatures, where classical motion stops. These fluctuations create an electromagnetic environment that can interact with matter. Researchers have discovered that by placing nanometer-sized flakes of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) on top of a superconducting crystal known as κ-ET, they can stop the superconducting state.
This mechanism relies on resonance matching. The quantum oscillations in the hBN layer oscillate at the same frequency as the quantum oscillations in the κ-ET crystal. When these vibrations match, they interact, electromagnetic environmentA method of preventing electrons from reaching the collective state required for superconductivity.
Testing hBN against materials with different resonances showed no effect, confirming that the interaction is tuned specifically to the internal “vibrations” of the material.
Using 2D materials as quantum cavities
In physics, a cavity is a structure that confines electromagnetic waves. Cavities are traditionally made of mirrors, but the researchers utilized hBN as the nanoscale cavity. Since hBN is a hyperboloid material, internal vibrations are naturally enhanced. This allows even incredibly small fluctuations seen in a vacuum to have large effects on the surrounding matter.
To prove that the effect was simply caused by quantum To exploit fluctuations rather than light, the team conducted the experiment in complete darkness. They used cryogenic magnetic force microscopy (MFM) to detect the Meissner effect, the repulsion between a magnet and a superconductor. They found that hBN suppresses superconductivity up to 0.5 micrometers away, or 10 times the width of the hBN flake itself.
A new milestone in material design
Historically, modifying materials required external forces such as mechanical indentations or laser pulses. These changes are often short-lived. By exploiting vacuum fluctuations, researchers can make more permanent changes.
The ability to tune these oscillations by adjusting the thickness of the hBN layer could potentially allow scientists to turn superconductivity on or off at will. This “adjustment knob” is not limited to superconductors. It may also be applicable to magnets and ferroelectric materials. This work presents a proof of concept for directly integrating quantum cavity effects into future materials design, paving the way to a new era. Quantum engineered electronics.